In the latest edition of Birkebeiner’n, the norwegian magazine sent to all participants of Birkebeinerrittet, a novel way of applying the scientific method is described. The writer starts off with “[this technique] does not have a scientific proven effect on strength”, and then follow it up one sentence later with “since over 90% of athletes uses [the technique], we can conclude that it has an effect”.
So there you have it, as long as most people do it, it works.